Method and means for use in lasting shoes



Feb. 22 -1938. J. s. KAMBORIAN 2,108,859

METHOD AND MEANS FOR USE; IN LASTING SHOES FiledJune a, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 22, 1938. J, a KAM R AN 2,108,859

METHOD AND MEANS FOR IN LASTING SHOES Filed Jun 8, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 We I 11a J. 5. KAM'BORIAM 2,108,859

METHOD AND MEANS FOR USE IN LASTING SHOES Filed June a, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Feb. 22, 1938.

Feb. 22, 1938. I J KAMBQRIANI 2,108,859

METHOD AND MEANS FOR USE IN LASTING SHOES Filed June 8, 1935 SShets-Sheet 4' Feb. 22, 1938. J. s. KAMBORIAN 8,85

,METHOD AND MEANS FDR USE IN LASTING SHOES Filed Jun 8, 1935 s Sheets-Sheet 5 9 41 Patented Feb. 22, 1938 UNITED STATES 2,108,859 nn'rnon AND MEANS roa ,USE IN LASTING snons Jacob Simon Kamborian, Newton, Mass assignor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Paterson, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application June 8, 1935, Serial No. 25,626

1'7 Claims.

This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for lasting footwear, and particularly for lasting those lateral portions of shoe uppers which intervene between the heels and toes thereof. Apparatus of the illustrated type is particularly adapted to facilitate and effect lasting operations without the necessity of employing fastening elements, such as tacks or staples, for securing the margin of an upper to the insole.

The present invention affords improvements which are particularly applicable to machines of the type disclosed in my United States Patent No. 1,979,000, which issued October 30, 1934. A machine of this type may be employed to support the partially completed shoe, preferably bottom up, so that the upper may be stretched, for example by the use of hand lasting nippers, while pressure is being applied to the sides of the upper (beginning substantially at the start of the lasting operation). This pressure is caused first to bear against the upper near the top of the last and in accordance with a preferred procedure is gradually' advanced, toward the last bottom as the pulling and stretching operation iscarried on. For this purpose I prefer to employ fluid pressure applied in such a way as to exert force substantially normal to the last surface at all points, and

been renderedsticky or adhesive, for example by coating one or both surfaces with rubber latex or other cement which dries quickly, paticularly in the presence of heat, a set of wiper fingers which may be heated are advanced into engagement with the margin of the upper. Thus the latter is wiped onto the sole member, the wipers being arranged to exert a very substantial and preferably progressively increasing pressure as they advance. Obviously, the inner surface of the margin of the upper material, or the margin exposed parts of the shoe. The wipers are held in advanced position until the cement .has set sufficiently to retain the shoe parts in lasted position and while the wipers are thus holding the parts in position, a second shoe may be lasted in the same manner as the first shoe.

Machines of the character disclosed herein preferably are arranged so that certain parts signed for right and left shoes respectively, and

accordingly it is advantageous to arrange the mechanism in pairs, both pairs being controlled by a single operator.

In order to facilitate the lasting operation and to require the minimum of effort and operations by the operator, the present invention provides improved control arrangements, including means to facilitate the quick location of the last with the upper and insole thereon in proper position in the machine,-the ready movement of the pressure applying elements and the wipers into juxtaposition to the last, and the ready movement of the Wipers over the last. Furthermore, means are provided facilitating the individual control of the fluid pressure in the pads or the like which are pressed against the opposite sides of the shoe uppen, Associated with arrangements of this type I may provide, as herein disclosed, means to produce an increase in the lateral pressure upon the last when the wiping fingers are advanced into engagement with the margin of the upper. Preferably a driving motor is arranged so that the Wiper fingers themselves may be advanced and retracted by power, thus facilitating the control of these operations and requiring less muscular effort upon the part of the operator.

The method aspect of the present invention involves the progressive application of pressure upon each side of the last in turn, and the forcible stretching of each side of the upper while progressively increasing and advancing the area of pressure application from the top of the last toward its bottom upon that side of the upper which is being stretched. The area of pressure application may thus be increased until it is substantially coextensive with the entire area of the side of the last, and after this has been done in turn at both sides of the upper; the pressuremay be maintained while the margins of the stretched vupper are wiped inwardly onto the insole.

In accordance with a further development of the invention, the two mechanisms constituting the operative pairs above described, have their control elements so interconnected that the operation of a control member in one mechanism, whereby to cause the wipers to advance to operative position, is automatically efiective to cause retraction of the wipers of the other mechanism, as well as to cause release of the pressure which has been applied to the sides of the upper. Thus as the operator moves from one mechanism to the other, the shoe and last in the second mechanism is automatically released so that it may readily be removed and replaced by a fresh last with an assembled upper and insole. Further advantages relate to details of structure and im proved control means for regulating the supply of the fluid which imparts pressure upon the sides of the shoe.

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is-an elevational View of the major portion of the machine as viewed from its front when looking upwardly in an inclined direction, parts being broken away and shown in section, and the parts of the machine being'shown in the position which they occupy at the beginning of the lasting operation on, for example, a left shoe;

' Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the upper part of the machine with parts broken away and parts shown-in optional dotted line positions;

Fig. 3'is a fragmentary top plan view showing certain parts of the machine, including the pressure applying bags and wipers, in their retracted positions;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the pressure applying bags in their advanced positions, and showing a last with an insole and upper positioned on the machine, the parts herebeing in the position that they occupy when the lasting operation is partially completed;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, transverse, vertical section, on a larger scale, showing one of the movable carriages with related parts;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view with parts broken away illustrating the arrangement of the bags, the means for supplying fluid under pressure thereto, and the control arrangements and devices for said means;

1 Fig. '7 is a sectionindicated by line 1- of Fig. 2 and showing a portion of the clutch controlling mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a sectional detail showing a portion of the control'means for the movable carriages;

Fig. 9.is an elevational detail of one of the movable carriages and related parts;

Fig. 10 is a plan view, with certain parts omitted, illustrating the carriages which support the pressure applying means,- together with a portion of the actuating mechanism therefor; 4 Fig. 11 is an inside elevation of a wiper carriage and heater device with certain 'parts omitted;

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating mechanisms for lasting right and left shoes mounted upon the same base;

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but illustrating an optional arrangement which permits the application of increased pressure by the pres sure applying bags when the wipers are advanced;

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 4 butv also show ing the wipers in their advanced positions where they are holding the m'arginof the'upper against the insole;

Fig. 15 is a sectional detail showing the ar-' rangement of 'the cam mechanism and one of the arms controlled thereby;

. Fig. 16 is a sectional view showing the clutch arrangement;

Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic view showi g the interconnected portions of the control assemblies of a pair of mechanisms;

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the cam controlling member; and

Fig. 19 is an elevation of an improved nipper device. which may be advantageously employed with an operative pair of mechanisms of the type disclosed herein.

Preferably the apparatus is so arranged as to hold the shoe with its bottom side up while the lasting operation is performed, but when hereinafter I refer to the bottom of the last, I intend to indicate that portion of the last which receives the sole, and when I refer to the top of the shoe upper, I thereby mean that part which is at the top of the shoe when the latter is being worn.

As herein disclosed, my improved machine comprises a frame, having a table-like lower portion l supporting an inclined skeletonized platform [upon which a portion of the operative mechanism is mounted. The platform 4 supports the machine head 5, which may be in the form of a casting and extends upwardly at right angles to theplatform and at an angle to the vertical. The head has a forwardly projecting extension '1' (Fig. 2) which carries a pivot pin 8 on which a jack-supporting bracket 9 is pivctally mounted. This bracket is arranged to swing in a vertical plane between the positions illustrated in full and dotted lines in Fig. 2. The bracket 9 supports a slidable carriage H which carries a jack spindle I 3 that is vertically adjustable by means of a hand screw I4. Spindle l3 fits within the socket provided for this purpose in lasts of ordinary construction. A last L is indicated in Fig. 2 as mounted on the jack, and as illustrated in Fig. 5 the last carries a shoe upper U and an insole S.

A pair of upwardly extending bracket arms l5 project from the opposite sides of the head 5, as shown particularly in Fig. 1, and support a base member I B which has an inclination similarto that of the table 4. Carriages I1 and Ill (Fig. 1) are arranged to move on the base memher "5 and are furnished with horizontal arms l9 and 20 (Fig. 10) these arms having teeth upon their inner faces which mesh with a pinion 2| mountedv upon an upwardly extending shaft 22 journaled in an opening in the base member l6. Below the base member a second pinion 23 (Fig. 8) is mounted on the shaft 22. A rack bar 25 has teeth meshing with the pinion 23 and is slidable in a guideway at the lower part of base [6. The lower part of rack bar 25 is provided with teeth which mesh with a gear sector 28 fixed to a shaft 29 mounted on a bracket 30 extending upwardly from the head 5. The shaft 29 is providedwith a lever arm 3| to which a link 32 is articulated. This link has a pivotal connection with a treadle lever 34, the end of which is pivotally connected to the lower part of the frame I. The forward end of the lever 34 extends outwardly beyond the front of the frame I to support a treadle 38 in a position where it may readily be engaged by the foot of the operator. The treadle 38 may be provided with suitable, locking means 31, permitting it to be retained in depressed position. A coil tension spring 39 normally tends to move the lever 34 Since the'carriages I1 and .I8 and the associated parts are similar except for slight variations in detail. which will be hereinafter referred to, I will only describe the carriage I! in detail. The carriage I1 comprises an inner substantially vertical wall 40 having a slot 4I (Fig. 5) through which a bolt 42 extends. The latter is in screw-threaded engagement with aplate 43 disposed at the outer side of the wall 40. The plate 43 is held in position by means of suitable cap screws 44 (Figs. 5 and 11) while the bolt 42 is provided with a nut on its outer end. The inner end of bolt 42 has a ball-like head 45 engaging a socket in a block 46, the. latter being secured to a bracket member 41 which is thus supported on the ball-like end of the bolt 42 for universal tilting movement. The bracket 41 carries an abutment plate 48 against which an inflatable pressure applying pad or bag 49 rests. This bag may be formed of rubber or other suit able elastic and stretchable material; preferably the bag has one or more substantially horizontal septums 50, 5I which divide it into a plurality of longitudinal compartments, each septum has an orifice 52,. while the lower wall of the lower compartment communicates with a fluid supplying pipe 55. Preferably the orifice in the lowest septum is of a larger diameter than that in the next septum.

The upper surface of the bag may be shaped substantially to conform to' the contour of the side of the shoe bottom which is in proximity thereto, it being evident that the upper walls of the bags at, the opposite sides of the last will be differently contoured to correspond to the inner and outer sides of the last bottom. Preferably the side of the bag or pad which is opposed to the last is protected by means ofa piece of leather 51 or other flexible material which is secured by means of a clamping strip 58 to the lower part of the abutment plate 48, while the upper part of the leather sheet 51 .is clamped to the plate 48 by a plate 59. Preferably the latter extends substantially across the upper edge of the bag in order to protect the latter from direct contact with the heated wipers hereafter described and to form a guide for these wipers.

The fluid supply pipe 55 extends from the bag 49 to a release valve assembly I6I (Fig. 6) from which pipes I62 extend to a control valve assemoutstanding-ear 81 to which one end of a link 88 is pivoted. The other end of the link 88 (Fig. 1) is pivotally connected to an arm 89,

which is secured to a shaft 90. I hus, as shown, the shafts 90 are mounted upon brackets 9| at opposite sides of the inclined table 4.

Arms 92 extend inwardly from the shafts 90 and have ends supporting roller followers 93 which may engage opposite sides of a cam means 94. The ,cam means 94 is'provided with similar grooved portions upon its opposite faces, one of these portions being illustrated in-Fig. 15. With- 'in this grooved portion is a cam proper 94 a portion of the groove having a width so that the arm 92 may readily swing to move the corresponding follower 93 out of juxtaposition to the cam proper 94, this position being shown in full lines in Fig. 15. When the carriages I1 and from the sleeve I8 are moved inwardly, each follower 93 is auto- .matically moved downwardly into juxtaposition to the cam proper 94 ,.this being the intermediate Y position which is illustrated in dot and dash lines in Fig. 15. When the parts are in this position the shaft 96, upon which the cam means 94 is fixed, may be rotated so that each follower 93 is received in the narrow part of the corresponding groove and held against'the cam 94 thus swinging the corresponding arm 92 to its lowest position, and swinging each arm 89 inwardly so that the links 88 are effective in movmember I98 thereof is mounted on a sleeve I88."

A flange 210, which is secured to the shaft 96, limits the movement of sleeve I88 and member I98 away from member H81. Aspring 21I engages flange 210 and tends to hold the clutch members in engagement. A lug 212 projects I88 in' spaced relation to the member I98. The clutch throw-out mechanism includes an oscillating member IIO (Fig. 18) which may be automatically effe'ctivein throwing the clutch out of engagement after the shaft 96 has made one-half of a revolution. The member H is bifurcated and provided with oppositely beveled fingers I II and I I2, which are receivable in the space between the lug 212 and the driven member I98 of the clutch (Fig. 18). When the member H0 is swung to one position, as shown in full lines in Fig. 7, its beveled finger II2 may engage the lug 212 to compress thespring 211 and au' tomatically to move the driven member I98 of the clutch cu; of engagement with the driving member I81. Thus the clutch remains disengaged until the member H0 is swimg to its other position, indicated in'dot and dash lines'in Fig. 7, whereupon the finger I I2 thereof is moved out of engagement with the lug 212 so that the clutch is reengaged. When .the shaft 96 has moved through half a revolution, however, the lug 212 is engaged by the beveled portion of the opposite finger HI, which thereupon automatically again throws the clutch out of engagement. A link H4 is pivotally connected to the mem her I I0 and to the crank-like end of a control shaft H8. The latter is provided with a cranklike end I I9 at the front of frame I, a suitable stirrup I20 being secured to the part 9 at a convenient point for engagement by the knee of the operator of the machine. Thus while the motor MI is operating, the shaft I99 and the gears 91 and 98 are continually being driven. If the clutch is in engagement, the shaft 98 is also driven and thus is effective to rotate the cam 94', The latter, as shown in Fig. 15, is shaped to actuate the arms 92 which are effective through shafts.90.and links 88 in moving the carriers 86 when the carriages I1 and. I8 are disposed adjoining the last.

The throw-out mechanism, including the beveled arms of member H0, is effective in automatically throwing the clutch out of engage-- clutch may be engaged so that the motor is effective in moving the carriers 86 inwardly or, if the carriers are occupying their innermost positions, i. e., the positions closest to the last, a half of a revolution of the shaft 95 is effective in causing retraction of the carriers, i. e., theirmovement to their outermost positions.

The carrier 86 (Fig. 5) comprises an outer portion I9I which is adjustably secured to thebody portion of the carrier by bolt and slot connections or the like, and the upper surface of part I9I has substantially the contour shown in Fig. 5, providing an upstanding rib I92 defining the outer edge of a trough I93 which receives the downturned ends of a series of wiper fingers 95. Each wiper finger is provided with a boss I96 having an opening extending downwardly therethrough for the reception of a bolt I9'I having a head I89 at its upper end. Each bolt is encircled by a coiled compression spring I86 bearing at its upper end against the under side of the carrier and at its lower end against the.

washer 2002 supported by nut 200 at the lower end of the bolt. The inner ends of the wiper fingers 95 constitute the wipers proper and normally rest upon and slide across the upper surface' 20I of a supporting member 292 (Figs. 5 and 11) having downwardly directed legs 203 which are adjustably secured to upstanding lateral flanges 40 projecting from carriage I1. The legs 203 are held in adjusted position relative to the slotted members I by means of retaining bolts 203. When properly adjusted, the surface 20I is slightly below the surface of the shield plate 59 and also below' the exposed surface of the insole on the last.

The support 202 preferably is provided with a heating element I so that the wipers may be heated while they restupon the support. As here shown, the heating element consists of an electrical resistance coil receiving electrical energy through a cable I06. Any suitable control box and rheostat may be provided to permit regulation of the amount of current delivered to the coil and consequent regulation of the temperature of the support 202.

In order tokeep the inner end portions of the wiper fingers 95 in a proper position in a front to rear direction, the support 202 is provided with 'set screws 202 (Fig. 11) which, in effect, define the front and rear edges of a channel in which the inner ends of the fingers 95 are guided, The surface 20I, which'constitutes the floor of this shallow channel, is curyed in a longitudinal direction in a'c'ordance with the-contour of the bottom face of the adjacent part of the last. The inner ends of the fingers 95 preferably are curved upwardly, as shown in Fig. 5, and are adapted to ride over the guide plate 59 and wipe the margin of the upper material.

Each wiper is provided with a spring I89 se-\ cured at its upper end to a bracket 2I0 secured to the wiper and anchored at its lower end to a bracket 2| I secured to carrier 86. As the rounded ends of the wipers-advance, they engage the guide plate 59 and are raised from the surface 20I and guided so as to pass easily over the edge of the insole as they begin to wipe the upper inwardly.

As they advance, their outer ends drop, therebycausing their advancing ends to rock and'pass smoothly over the insole while keeping the point of application of the compressive force close to the edgeof the shoe bottom, the advancing ends.

of the wipers being now wholly supported by the wiped-in material, while the springs I09 are stretched, the net result being to, apply a progressively increasing pressure to the wiper-in material.

A bracket 2 I 2 is secured to the rear part of base member I 6 and supports a cylindrical guide member 2I'I through which a rod 2I8 slidably extends. .The lower .end of this rod is provided with a roller follower which engages a cam 220 on shaft 29. The upper end of the rod 2I8 is provided with an offset portion upon which a toe rest or anvil 22I is mounted. A bracket 240 is connected to the bracket 2I2 and has an arm 24I which overhangs the toe portion of the last when the latter is in its normal position. An adjustable screw 242 is arranged in screw-threaded engagement with an opening in the end of arm 2 and has a ball-like end portion which may be positioned in engagement with the toe portion of the insole, thus to hold the latter in place when ,the anvil 22I is moved upwardly. Thus, as the shaft 29 is rotated by actuation of the treadle 38, the rod 2I8 is slid upwardly to cause the anvil firmly to engage the toe portion of the last and press the insole against the screw 242.

The valve mechanism I6I is provided with a cam 23'! on the *shaft 96 (Fig. 6) so that this mechanism is actuated when the shaft turns to a position to move the wipers to their retracted positions. Thus when the operator engages the stirrup I20 with his knee and actuates the clutch,

for moving the wipers 95 away from'the last, he also causes the valve mechanism IGI automatically to release the, pressure in the bags. It is evident that the treadle 38 may then be released to permit the carriages I1 and I8 to move away from the last, and the latter may then readily be removed from the machine.

The control valve assembly I63 is provided with a double-ended treadle I64, either end of which may be depressed to actuate the valve associated with one of the bags 49 so that the operator may regulate the flow of fluid under pressure to each of the bags. When the treadle is in its normal horizontal position the fluid can not how into either bag.

The operation of lasting with the apparatus disclosed is substantially as follows, it being assumed that at the beginning of the operation the machine parts occupy the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 3, and that a .shoe upper U and insole S havebeen assembled on the last L and pulled over in any usual or desired manner, it being noted that if the pulling-over operation is properly done, and the lasting allowance is correct, the top edge of the upper will be properly positioned at the sides of the last.

The operator then takes the last with the upper and insole thereon and mounts it upon the jack spindle I 3, which may be swung to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 2 for this purpose. The jack is then returned to its operative position, shown in full lines in Fig. 2, and adjusted in order to bring the ball portion of the shoe substantially in line with the central wipers, as indicated at B in Fig. 4; By adjusting the jack up and down, as experience may indicate to l e desirable and in accordance with the size pf the shoe to be operated upon, the last L is brought to substantially the proper position. If the quarter lining and forward corners of the counter have not already been properly lasted in, this operation may nowbe performed.

The operator then depresses the treadle 89,

into contact with opposite sides of the shoe upper. This operation is also effective in bringing the saddle or toe rest 22! into firm engagement with the toe portion of the upper and press ing the insole against member 242. Having locked the treadle 38 inits depressed position,-

the operator then seizes the upwardly projecting marginof the shoe upper at oneside of the last against the shoe upper near the top of the last.

This holds the top edge of the upper at the position in which it was located during the pullingover operation, that is to say, in a position wherein the top edge of the upper is disposed in proper symmetrical relation to' the last and such as results from the operation technically known as spindling. Since the upper is thus clamped at its extreme top before the operator exerts any substantial strain upon the upper, such strain does not displace the upper from its original properly determined position. Asthe operator continues to pull on the upper, the pressure of the fluid in the bag gradually extends over an area which progressively advances toward the bottom of. the last, or, as viewed for example in Fig. 5, upwardly from compartment to compartment of the bag. --Thus during the pullingand stretching operation, the stretching may be continued at the lower margin of the upper, where it is most necessary and where the upper material must be caused to deform in order to conform to the sharp curvature at the shank and.

When the upper has thus been pulled snuglyabout the last' at each side of the latter as described, the operator applies a suitable adhesive either to the inner surface of the margin of .the upper or to the margin of the insole or to both, such an adhesive, for example, as rubber latex, although other adhesives may be suitable for this purpose. However, as before suggested, adhesive may be applied before lasting, being of a nature to respond to the application ofheat and pressure or pressure alone to become effective to unite the parts.

After the opposed surfaces of the marginal upper material and insole have become sticky, the operator actuates the clutch mechanism by means of his knee, which he engages with the the upstanding margin of the upper. It is to be noted that at this time substantially the entire lateral area of the upper from its top edge substantially to the region where it engages the outer edge of the insole is firmly clamped in its stretched condition so that'it can not contract during the wiping operation.

The wipers continue their movement until they occupy a position such as indicated in dotted lines in Fig.5, and in full lines in Fig. 14, whereupon the half-revolution clutch mechanism automatically disengages, leaving the wipers in this position. During the inward movement of the wipers, the springs I09 pull the wipers down toward the surfaces 20 but as the inward movement is continued, no further support is provided by the surfaces 2M so that the free ends of the wipers exert a progressively increasing pressure on the upper in a direction substantially perpzndicular to the face of, the insole. During the inward movement of the wiper carrier it moves downwardly, thus, as above described, being efiective to rock the advancing ends of the wipers so that they ride easily and smoothly over the insole, the action of the springs I09 being more and more pronounced as the wipers advance.

It is evident that both wiper carriers move inwardly simultaneously to the inner ends of their paths. The wipers may then remain in this position with the margins of the upper firmly held in place under heat and pressure while the operator proceeds to last another shoe; for example, if he first lasts the left shoe, the right shoe may be lasted upon corresponding apparatus while the cement upon the first shoe is setting.

As shown particularly in Fig. 12, two mecha-' nisms of the character disclosed herein may be arranged in angular relation to each other so that the operator may turn from one to the other with a minimum of lost motion. After the second shoe has been lasted and the Wipers left in their advanced positions, the operator may return to the first mechanism and again actuate the stirrup I29 to cause the clutch to engage, thus efiecting the outward movement of the carriers 86, moving the wipers to their retracted positions and releasing the air from'bags 49 through valve mechanism l6l. He may then release the treadle 38 from its depressed condition, thus causing the bags 49 to move away from the last.

Preferably, however, the two mechanisms or 7 machines for lasting the right and left shoes may have their control means interconnected so that when'the operator actuates the control mechanism of one machine'to cause the wipers to move inwardly to press and hold the margin of the upper against the insole, the outward movement of the wiper fingers upon the other machine will be automatically and simultaneously effected and the air will be released from bags 49. Thus aseparatecontrol operation is not necessary in order to move the wipers of the first machine to their retracted positions when theoperator returns thereto.

For this purpose control linkage may be arranged in the manner particularly illustrated in Fig. 17, the cranked end H9 of each shaft H8 being connected by a link I23 to a bell-crank I24. Accordingly, for example, when the stirrup I20 and crank H9 at the right of Fig. 17 are swung toward the bell-crank, a corresponding movement will be imparted to the other crank H9. Thus bothshafts H8 will turn in corresponding directions at the same time, the cam means 94 upon one machine being arranged in a diametri machine.

cally opposite relation to the cam means upon the other machine. Thus the arms 92 upon one machine will be swung to a position to advance the wipers 95 while the cam means upon the other machine is moving to a position to retract the wipers 95 and release the air from the bags 49. In other words, the cam means 94 uponthe respective machines are arranged so that the arms 92 on one machine will occupy the intermediate position shown in dot and dash lines in Fig. 15, while the arms 92 upon the other machine will occupy the lower position indicated in dot and dash lines in that figure. It is thus evident that the. wipers 95 will be held in their advanced position upon one machine while they are in their retracted positions upon the other machine where'the operator is working.

When the second upper-pulling operation has been, completed, the operator actuates the stirrup member I20 on the machine upon which he has been working, thus causing the corresponding clutch l8I--|98 to engage so that the wiper fingers 95 advance to their operative positions. Simultaneously through the linkage connecting the two machines the movement of the stirrup I20 is efiective in actuating the clutch throw-out mechanism of the first machine so that the clutch may reengage on the first machine to cause the wipers 95 to retract-and the air to be released. Thereupon the operator may return to the first machine and release the treadle 38' so that the carriages l1 and I8 move away from the last which is then ready for removal from the lasting another shoe on the first machine while the cement is setting between the insole and upper on the second machine.

The nippers P may be of the type disclosed in Letters Patent No. 2,063,167, granted on December 8, 1936 upon an application of mine, and are provided with a main pair of jaws P and a secondary pair of jaws P one of the latter being secured to a main jaw and the other being connected by a link P to the handle extending from the opposite main jaw. Thus the jaws of both pairs may simultaneously move together or separate. This arrangementis particularly useful since it permits the operator to grip the margin of the upper with either pair of jaws, while employing the other pair of jaws as a fulcrum. Thus both sides of the upper may conveniently be worked although the operator remains at one side of the machine. When the machines are arranged in an operative pair the operator can accordingly remain in the angular space between the machines and the adjoining areas in front of the respective machines.

Fig. 13 illustrates an optional embodiment-of the invention wherein the carrier 86 is provided with an upstanding lug 350 which may engage a spring-held plunger 353 that extends through the head of a cylinder 354 and is connected to a piston 255 within that cylinder. The interior of cylinder 354 communicates through an opening 355 with the interior of bag 49. Thus when the fingers 95 are moved to their advanced positions,

the lug 350 engages the plunger 353 to actuate unusually firm clamping pressure is imparted to practically the entire side surface of the upper.

'I claim:

1. Method of lasting shoes comprising assem- Thereafter the operator may start.

bling an upper and insole upon a last, applying pressure to one side of the upper by means of a fluid medium through'out'an area extending longitudinally of the upper near the top of the last, gripping the lower edge of that side of the upper and stretching it while causing said area progressively to advance toward the last bottom, then, while maintaining the application of said pressure, similarly applying pressure by means of a fiuid medium to the opposite side of the upper throughout an area extending longitudinally near the top of the last, gripping the lower edge of that side of the upper and stretching it while causing said second-named area progressively to ad-,

vance toward the last bottom, and thereafter wiping in the margins of the upper over the last bottom while increasing the pressure applied at the sides by said fluid medium.

2. Method of lasting shoes which comprises as steps assembling an upper and insole upon a last, applying lasting stress by means of a hand lasting appliance to draw the upper of the shoe snugly into contact with one side of the last while concomitantly applying pressure to the upper at said side, thereby to prevent the top portion of the upper from slipping relatively to the last. thereafter applying lasting stress by means of a hand lasting appliance to draw the upper snugly into contact with the other side of the last while concomitantly applying pressure to the upper at said latter side to prevent the top portion of the upper from slipping relatively to the last, causing the marginal lower portion of the upper to become sticky, and simultaneously advancing wiper means from opposite sides of the shoe thereby to wipe in the margin of the upperalong the entire forepart of the shoe at both sides of the latter, allowing the wipers to remain in advanced position until-the sticky margin of the upper adheres to the insole, and simultaneously retracting the wipers and releasing the clamping pressure at both sides of the shoe.

3. A lasting machine of the class described comprising a last support, pressure applying means arranged to clamp the upper of a shoe against a last mounted on said support, a set of wipers disposed at each side, respectively, of the last support, independent means operative to actuate thepressure applying means and to advance the wipers of both sets to operative position, and a common actuator operative to release the clamping pressure and to cause both sets of wipers to retract from operative position.

4. A- lasting machine, comprising a pair of mechanisms operative to last a right and a left shoe, respectively, each mechanism comprising clamping means operative to 'press a shoe upper against the lateral surface of a last and each mechanism also comprising wiper means operative to wipe the marginal portions of the shoe upper over onto the under surface of an insole on the respective last, means operative to actuate the clamping means and the wiping means of each mechanism, andcontrolmeans operative as the wiper means of one mechanism is advanced toward operative position to cause the clamping and wiping means of the other mechanism to become inoperative and to release the shoe for removal from said latter mechanism. 7

5. Apparatus. for lasting shoes comprising means for supporting a last having a shoe upper and an insole mounted thereon, a pair of pressure applying means, each of said means being arranged progressively to apply pressure to the side of an upper mounted on said supporting means by initially applying the pressure in the region of the top of the upper and gradually advancing support for a last with a shoe upper and insole assembled thereon, carriages movable toward said support, means on said carriages for applying pressure to the sides of the upper upon the last, wipers mounted upon the carriages and movable relative thereto, a control instrumentality to efwhen the carriages are disposed adjoining the last.

'7. Apparatus for lasting shoes comprising a' support for a last with a shoe upper and insole assembled thereon, carriages movable toward said support, means on said carriages for applying pressure to the sides of the upper upon the last,

wipers mounted upon the carriages and-movable relative thereto, a control instrumentality to effeet the simultaneous movement of the carriages to and from the last, independent manually controlled devices to regulate the application of pressure by said means, and independently controllable power driven mechanism to advance the wipers over the last or retract them therefrom when the carriages are disposed adjoining the last, said means for applying pressure to the sides of the upper being arranged so that pressure may be independently applied to one side of the upper at a time. l

8. Apparatus for lasting shoes comprising a support for a last with a shoe upper and insole assembled thereon, carriages'movable toward said support, means on said carriages for applying pressure to the sides of the upper upon the last, wipers mounted upon the carriages and movable relative thereto, a control instrumentality to eflect the simultaneous movement of the carriages to and from the last, independent manually controlled devices to regulate the application of pressure by said means, and independently controllable power driven mechanism to advance the wipers over the last or retract them therefrom when the carriages are disposed adjoining the last, said power driven mechanism being ar ranged simultaneously to advance the wipers upon both sides of the last.

-9. Apparatusfor lasting shoes comprising a support for a last with a shoe upper and insole assembled thereon, carriages movable toward said support, means on said carriages for applying pressure to the sides of the upper upon thelast,

wipers mounted upon the carriages and movable relative'thereto, a control instrumentality to effeet the simultaneous movement of the carriages to and from the last, independent manually concarriages are disposed adjoining thelast, said pressure applying meansbeing arranged to receive fluid under pressure thereby to grip the sides of the upper, and control means associated with the power operated mechanism and with said pressure applying means efiective to release the fluid pressure from the pressure applying means when the power driven mechanism is actuated to retract the wipers.

10. Apparatus for lasting shoes comprising a support for a last with a shoe upper and insole assembled thereon, carriages movable toward said support, means on said'carriages for applying pressure to the sides of the upper upon the last, wipers mounted upon the carriages and movable relative thereto, a control instrumentality to 'efiect the simultaneous movement of thecarriages to and i from the last, an independent, manually controlled device to regulate the application of pressure by said means, independently controllable power driven mechanism to advance the wipers over the last or retract them therefrom when the carriages are disposed adjoining the last, and a toe rest movable against the upper on, the last when the carriages are moved toward the support.

11. Apparatus for lasting shoes comprising a pair of similar mechanisms for lasting right and left shoes respectively, each of said mechanisms including a support for a last with an upper and insole assembled thereon, said mechanisms each having movable wipers to advance over the margins of an upper mounted upon the corresponding last and having power driven actuating means operative to advance and retract the wipers, and control means for said power driven actuating means arranged to cause the wipers of one mechanism to advance over the corresponding last while causing the actuating means. of the other mechanism to retract the corresponding wipers.

12. Apparatus for lasting shoes comprising a pair of similar mechanisms for lasting right and left shoes respectively, each of said mechanisms including a support for a last with an upper and insole assembled thereon, said mechanisms each having movable wipers to advance over the margins of an upp r mounted upon the corresponding last and having power driven actuating means operative to advance and retract the wipers, and control means for said power driven actuating means arranged to cause the wipers of one mechanism to advance over the corresponding last while causing'the actuating means of the other mechanism to retract the corresponding wipers, each of said mechanisms having means to impose lateral pressure upon the sides of an upper mounted upon the corresponding last, said actuating means including release means operative. to release the pressure imposed by said pressure applying means when the corresponding power driven actuating means retracts the corresponding wipers.

13. Apparatus for lasting shoes, comprising a support for a last with a shoe upper and insole assembled thereon, a pair of pressure applying means disposed respectively at opposite sides of the last and arranged to clamp the sides of the upper against the last, wipers movable inwardly over the bottom of the last, control means to cause said pressure applying means to press against the sides of the'last, and independent means to effect the inward movement. of the wipers; said pressure applying means being arranged automatically to increase the pressure upon the sides of the last when the wipers are thus moved inwardly.

14. Apparatus for lasting shoes comprising a support for a last with a shoe upper and an insole assembled thereon, carriages movable toward the support widthwise of the last, wipers mounted upon the carriages and movable rela-' tive thereto to wipe the upper over the insole between its toe and heel-end portions, a control' instrumentality operative to effect the simultaneous movement of the carriages toward and from the last, and independently controllable power driven mechanism to cause the movement of the wipers relative to the carriages thus to cause them to advance over the last or retract therefrom.

15. Apparatus for lasting shoes comprising a support for a last with a shoe upper and an insole assembled thereon, wipers movable over the last between its toe and heel end portions and retractable therefrom, power driven mechanism to advance the wipers over the last or to re-- mechanism to advance the wipers over the last or to retract them, said mechanism including a means, and a control member to cause the engagement of said clutch means, said member being positioned to be actuated by the knee of the operator of themachine.

17. Apparatus for lasting shoes comprising a support for a last with a shoe upper and an insole assembled thereon, wipers movable over the last and retractable therefrom, power driven mechanism to advance the wipers over the last or to retract them, said mechanism including a continuously operating driving member, halfrevolution clutch means, a cam means rotatable through a half-revolution by said driving member when the clutch means is engaged, linkage connecting said cam means to the wipers whereby the latter are advanced during one-half revolution of the cam means and are retracted during the succeeding one-half revolution of the cam means, and inflatable bags to impose lateral pressure upon the sides of a shoe upper mounted on the last, said cam means also being efiective to release the pressure from said inflatable bags in the course of the retractive movement ofthe wipers. JACOB SIMON KAMBORIAN. 

